York University cheers Canada's 4th Olympic Medallist -- York University kinesiology student Karen Cockburn

TORONTO, September 22, 2000 -- York University congratulates Canada's latest Olympic medal winner, first-year kinesiology student Karen Cockburn, who won a bronze medal in trampoline at the Sydney Olympics today.

Cockburn, a Canadian national champion who turns 20 next month, clinched the bronze with a score of 37.40 to become the world's first-ever Olympic bronze medallist in the trampoline, bringing home Canada's fourth medal of the 2000 games.

"This is exciting news for Canada, and the entire community at York is ecstatic about Karen's achievement in this debut Olympic sport," said York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden. "She has made her country and her university proud, and we look forward to congratulating her in person when she returns, along with all of our Olympic contenders and coaches, of whom we are also extremely proud."

Already ranked fifth in the world prior to her bronze win, Cockburn is the youngest among the women's trampoline medallists and a noted innovator in the sport, which is making its Olympic debut at the Sydney games. Cockburn ranked second at the World Cup Championships held this June in England, and third at the World Cup Championships held this July in Vienna, Austria. "I am excited to be competing for Canada, and I am especially excited to be among the first athletes to compete in a new and exciting Olympic sport," says Cockburn.

Mathieu Turgeon, a second-year kinesiology student at York is competing in the men's trampoline, placed 11th at the 1999 World Championships in South Africa and seventh at the World Cup Championships held this July in Vienna, Austria. Turgeon says he believes the introduction of the trampoline competition into the summer Olympics will impress crowds and will grow in popularity as an Olympic event.

Both Cockburn and Turgeon have trained hard at the Richmond Hill Skyriders club under the direction of Canada's national trampoline coach, Dave Ross.

Also competing in the Sydney Olympics from York is boxer Mark Simmons, a recent science graduate rated among the best boxing heavyweights in the world. Simmons has defeated notable fighters like Roland Reform (number two in the world in 1998) and former Canadian champ Gary Goodridge. He won Gold at the 1999 Pan Am Games and at the 1999 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Simmons, who is up against 16 other athletes in his weight class, opened his Olympic campaign Sept. 21, defeating Iran's Rohoulah Houseini 11-6.

Other York University community members who will be at the Games include: beach volleyball coach Hernan Humana; Team 2008 member, former York coach and alumna Molly Killingbeck; and York alumna and Toronto 2008 Olympic Bid member Sandra Levy.

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For further information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon, Director of Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
sinem@yorku.ca
YU/092/00